Signs won't fix Route 93 problem

After reading about the trucks that crashed on Broad Mountain (Route 93), I will give my opinion, and they are the facts.

The old ramp was designed as a disaster. Piles of road chips as high as 8 feet are a suicide ramp designed by the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation. They didn't need to spend over a hundred thousand dollars for a new ramp. All they had to do was remove the piles and put them at the end of the ramp for safety, instead of going over the cliff and getting killed. But no PennDOT engineer needs pocket money?

No one could get PennDOT to listen, including the state representative. Charles Getz and I tried to tell PennDOT we could have done the job for less than $50,000. Now what do you have? Another pile of junk. Ask any local truck driver and they will tell you we were right.

As you approach the ramp, a stupid sign is not needed. If you hit it on the way in, it will come through your window and kill you before you ever get onto the suicide ramp. The junk gravel should be removed and replaced with No. 3 river stone. The trucks will get bogged down.

Ask any truck driver from Carbon County and see what they say. When someone gets killed it will be on PennDOT's conscience.

I wonder if any of the truck drivers involved in these crashes could read English. I wonder if the PennDOT designer could drive a wheelbarrow. I would like to see his CDL license.

Now, after the meeting, it was suggested to litter the highway with more junk signs. Just remember, once the trucks start down the mountain without gearing down, you could stick the signs where the sun don't shine. I don't recall if any PennDOT officials of today were involved, but some of the suggestions I've heard are ridiculous.

Signs are nothing but litter. Another engineer needs money? Do it right for a change. There is nothing wrong with the road. Leave it Alone.

If somebody from PennDOT would read the rules when it says "end of truck speed," now you can go 45 mph for 150 feet before coming to the stop sign at the bottom of the mountain.

I would like to know how the signs at the intersection will stop a truck? It is just an attraction for tourists to look at PennDOT junk yard signs.

Lastly, the sign before the stop sign says "end of 30 mile speed limit." Now you can go 45 mph.

Don't forget to cut and spray the daylilies between Jim Thorpe and Nesquehoning.

Tom C. Gerhard

Former Carbon County Commissioner

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